
^\ 






BBFORE 



THE SCOTGH-IRISii SOei 






OP 



AMERICA 



J. H. BRYSON, D.C 



SCOTCH-IRISH ADDRESSES. 



™ SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE 

Their Influence in the Formation of the Government of 
THE United States of America. Delivered at 
THE Third Congress, Held at Louis- 
ville, Ky., May 14, 1891. 



INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE 

OF AMERICA. 

Delivered at the Fourth Congress, Held at Atlanta, Ga., 
ON THE 28th Day of April, 1892. 



By Rev. J. H. Bryson, D.D., 

Hunisvillc, Ala. 



Nashville, Tenn.: 
Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
Barbee & Smith, Agents. 
1892. 






^^ 



GIFT 

MRS. WOODROW WIUM 

NOV. 25, 1939 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE: 

THEIR INFLUENCE IN THE FORMATION OF THE GOV- 
ERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



BY J. II. BKYfSOX, D.D. 



The science of government is a study full of interest from every 
stand-point of investigation. The nature and genius of a government 
cannot be correctly understood without a clear apprehension of the 
several elements which enter into the formation of the governmental 
structure. There are always antecedents of a marked and pronounced 
character, which lead up to every great historical epoch, and these 
great events of human history must be carefully studied in the light of 
these antecedents if they are to be properly understood. 

The formation of the government of the United States is the grand- 
est and most distinguished achievement of human history. It has no 
parallel in any age or century. It is the outgrowth of principles, 
which had to work their way through long periods of suffering and 
conflict. The logical and regulative structure of the principles of our 
government into an instrument, which we call our Constitution, was 
the result of but a few months' labor; the principles themselves, how- 
ever, had been struggling through martyrdom and blood for many 
generations. To understand the government of the United States, the 
genius and character of the people who settled the several colonies 
must be carefully studied. Its m(jst distinguishing feature is that it 
is a government framed by the people for the people. It is their own 
conception of the best form of government to secure personal right and 
liberty. 

In the present discourse we propose to review the influence which 
the Scotch-Irish people exerted in various ways in the formation of 
our government. The inhabitants of the colonies up to 1776 were 
almost entirely an English-speaking people, coming from England, 
Scotland, and Ireland. The French Huguenot was not a large felement : 
in the settlement of the country, but it was a most important one. 
There was also a noble body of settlers from Holland, Tliese diflerent 
classes of people all have an honorable part, wortliy of themselves, in 
forming the government of our country. 

When the government of the United States came into existence, 



4 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

as the voice of the people speakintr througli thirteen sovereign States, 
the world stood amazed at the daring and brilliant conception. Tyr- 
anny and ojipression received a fatal blow in that glorious day, and 
human liberty found a permanent home in the hearts of three millions 
of American citizens. Many were the pi-ophecies of its speedy down- 
fall, but with the first century of its history it has taken the first place 
among the nations of the world. The principles of this government 
are no longer a matter of experiment, i)ut, as a distinguished writer 
has said: "they are believed to disclose and display the type of institu- 
tions toward which, as by a law of fate, the rest of civilized mankind 
are forced to move, some with swifter, others with slower, but all with 
unhesitating feet."* 

The causes which led to the formation of the American Government 
were foreign to the people of the colonies. They did not willingly 
break allegiance with the mother country. It was the oppressive 
measures of the British Crown which forced them to declare their in- 
dependence and construct a new government, if they would be freemen. 
But the birthday of constitutional liberty had come. A mysterious 
providence had prej)ared a people, through long years of suffering and 
trial, for the glorious heritage, and had held in reserve a magnificent 
continent for their abiding-place. The era of 1776 was not within the 
range of human conception or forecast, but there was above and be- 
hind it all a divine Mind, bringing forward the day witli all its stu- 
pendous revelations. 

In considering the history of any people, it is a serious defect to 
leave out of view their religious conceptions, as expressed in their 
formulas of faith. Religion of necessity is the most powerful factor in 
the direction of human life. Mr. Carlyle has well said: "A man's re- 
ligion is the chief fact with regard to him."! In a Ciiristian land, with 
an open liible, this is pre-eminently true. AVitli the American colo- 
nies religious liberty was a question of not less vital importance than 
that of civil liberty. Their religious faith had a most iHjworful infiu- 
ence in forming their character, and they intend to be untramnieled 
in its exercise. From New Hampshire to Georgia they were Calvin- 
ists of the most j)n)nounced type. Calvinism was their religious creed, 
and out of it sprung their political })rincii)les. This had been the 
creed of their ancestors from the days of the Reformation. It had 
stood the test of fire and sword for more than two hundred years. The 
principles of that wonderful system had i)ermeated their whole being. 

*Brice'8 "American Communwealth," Volume 1., page 1. 
t Carlyle's " Heroes," page 1. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. O 

It gave them intellectual strength and vigor. It intensified to the 
highest degree their individuality. It developed that integrity and 
force of character, which no blandishments or persecutions could break 
down. He who puts a light estimate upon Calvinism knows little of 
its principles, and he knows little of the struggles which brave Calvin- 
ists have made in many lands for freedom. Motley speaks correctly 
when he says : " Holland, England, and America owe their liberties to 
Calvinists." Ranke, the great German historian, as well as D'Au- 
bigne, says: "Calvin was the true founder of the American Gov- 
ernment." Hume, Macaulay, Buckle, Froude, and Leckey all afiirm 
that it was the stern, unflinching courage of the Calvinistic Puritan 
that won the priceless heritage of English liberty. Scotland can never 
estimate what she owes John Knox, the fearless embodiment of Calvin- 
ism in Church and State. Mr. Bancroft makes the statement con- 
spicuous that it was the Calvinistic faith of the American colonies, 
which prompted them to resist the oppressions of the British Crown, 
and maintain the desperate struggle with unfaltering courage until the 
glorious victory was achieved. 

The distinguishing feature of Calvinism as a theology is its represent- 
ative character, holding that sin and guilt are the result of repre- 
sentaticm in Adam, and that redemption is the result of representation 
in Christ. The logical outworking of such a theology is a represent- 
ative government, both in Church and State. Calvinism is the chief 
corner-stone of the American Republic. 

It was the religious faith of the colonies that made them what they 
were, and no adequate conception of their resistance to oppression or 
their struggle for freedom can be had if this fact is left out of view. 
The settlers of the American colonies were worthy sons of noble sires. 
Their ancestors in the plantations of Ulster, in Scotland, in England, 
in Holland, and in France had learned from their Calvinistic faith 
that resistance to tyranny was service to God. Calvinism is sometimes 
looked upon as a stern and severe religious faith, still it is the faith 
which has produced the grandest men and women the world has ever 
known. This is the faith which breasted for centuries the most terrible 
conflicts, trials, and sufferings, to secure for us the glorious heritage of 
constitutional liberty. Of these heroes Mr. Froude has well said : " They 
were splintered and torn, but they ever bore an inflexible front to il- 
lusion and mendacity, and preferred rather to be ground to powder like 
flint, than to bend before violence, or melt before enervating temp- 
tation."* 

* St. Andrew's "Address on Calvinism." 



6 THE SCOTCH-IHISII PEOPLE. 

In tlie memorable revolution of 177',), when the Ameriean colonies 
combined to form a government of tiieir own, the Scotch-Iri.sh people, 
who formed a large part of the settlers of the central and southern col- 
onies, bore a conspicuous part. In speaking of the Scotch-Irish people 
as transplanted from Ulster, in Ireland, to America, we have found it 
impossible to separate the Scotch and the Scotch-Irish. They are really 
one people. During the jjersecutions in Ireland, thousands of this peo- 
ple were forced to return to Scotland, and at a later date many of them 
emigrated to America. Often parts of the same families in Scotland 
and Ireland would join each other in the colonies. This is true of the 
Livingstons, the Hamiltons, the Wilsons, the Witherspoons, the Ran- 
dolphs, the Grahams, and others. There is still another mixture in the 
veins of the Scotch-Irish jjcople. Many of them are known to be of 
Huguenot ancestry. The Caldwells, the Dunlaps, the Brysons, the 
Duttields, the Pickenses, the Sumpters, and others came from France 
to Scotland, thence to Ireland, and thence to America. 

In estimating the influence of the Scotch-Irish in the formation of 
the government of the United States two (juestions may be asked: 
What was their religious creed? and what were their jwlitical ideas? 
Their religious faith was Calvinism; in Churcli government they were 
Presbyterians; in State government they were republicans. These 
three ideas make Scotch-Irishmen what they are. Always and every- 
where they are the fearless and unflinching advocates of liberty, the 
determined and unfaltering foe of oppression. They are by nature bold, 
courageous, and aggressive people. 

At the time of the American Revolution, the Scotch-Irish people 
must have formed near one-third of the entire population of the colo- 
nies. The tide of emigration became strong in the early part of the 
eighteenth century. As early as 1725, a large body of this people had 
settled in almost every colony. From this time onward, for a period 
of more than forty years, the steady flow of this people to the Ameri- 
can colonies was something amazing. For many years there were never 
less than 12,000 landed annually at the different jjorts of the country; 
and for the two years after the Antrim evictions it is estimated the 
numbers ran up to IJO.OOO or more. They settled generally in the cen- 
tral and southern colonies. Some 20,000 or more, however, settled 
along the coast from Boston to the mouth of the Kennebec. This dis- 
tribution of the Scotch-Irish over the whole country made it jjossible 
for them to exert a most powerful influence when the occasion should 
arise. So soon as they were settled down in their new homes they or- 
ganized themselves into Churches and Presbyteries (for they werePres- 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 7 

byteriaiis), and in 1717 a General Synod was funned. By 1770, this 
delegated Synod was the most powerful religious organization in the 
country. Indeed, it was the only organization which embraced all the 
colonies. The ministry were an able body of men, graduates of Edin- 
burgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Many of the 
elders were graduates of these institutions. This General Synod, with 
delegates coming from almost every colony, met every year under a 
written Constitution which they had adopted. This compact organiza- 
tion of able men, coming together annually as delegates from the terri- 
tory of the several colonies, for a period of more than fifty years, was 
certainly a most powerful agency in preparing the way for a Congress 
of all the colonies when the occasion should arise. This General Synod 
of the Presbyterian Church, which was the only representative body of 
the whole country, was very obnoxious to the British Crown, and the 
Governors of the larger colonies were instructed to remonstrate against 
its assembling. But these Presbyterians knew their rights and had the 
courage to maintain them. In May, 1775, this General Synod of the 
Presbyterian Church met in Philadelphia, side by side with the Colo- 
nial Congress. It was a critical period. The Congress seemed to hesi- 
tate what to do. The Presbyterian Synod, made up of Scotch-Irish, 
bravely and courageously met the issue. The famous " Pastoral Let- 
ter " * was issued by that body to their Churches scattered throughout the 
colonies, to adhere to the resolutions of the Congress, and to make ear- 
nest prayer to God for guidance in all measures looking to the defense 
of the country. This powerful letter was scattered broadcast among 
the people, and a copy was sent to the Legislature of every colony. 
The people were everywhere aroused to the profound significance of the 
crisis which was upon them. This Philadelphia Synod and their cir- 
cular letter are referred to by Adolphus in his work on the "Reign of 
George the Third," as the chief cause which led the colonies to determine 
on resistance. The Scotch-Irish people, by their Annual Synod assem- 
bling for fifty or sixty years, manifestly prepared the way for the union 
of the colonies in a Colonial Congress, so that they might jointly inaugu- 
rate measures to protect their common interests. In that distinguished 
body which assembled in 1774, men of Scotch-Irish blood held an hon- 
orable place. Tliere were the Livingstons, of New York ; John Sulli- 
van, of New Hampshire; Dickenson and McKean, of Pennsylvania; 
Patrick Henry, of Virginia ; and the Rutledges, of South Carolina ; and 
others — men whose ability and culture would adorn any position. 



*" Presbyterians and the Revolution," page 121. 



5 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

This uuion of the colonies enabled them to realize their power and 
strength. They petitioned the Crown and Parliament for a redress of 
their wrongs. But their petitions were unheeded. The conflict was 
inevitable. On the 4th of July, 1770, the memorable Declaration of 
Independence was made, and the bold announcement went forth to the 
world that the American colonies intended to be a free and independ- 
ent people. The grandest hour of human history had come. The 
heaven-born principles of constitutional liberty had found a home in the 
breasts of three millions of people; and a continent — the very paradise 
of the earth — was to be the permanent resting-place. The history of 
that immortal day is ever full of thrilling interest to the sons of liberty. 
The Continental Congress fully realized the tremendous issues involved 
in that declaration. Behind them were the throbbing hearts of a united 
people awaiting with intense anxiety for the deed to be done. It was 
an hour that was to mark the grandest epoch in human history. What 
a scene was there! On the table in the presence of that able body of 
statesmen lay the charter of human freedom, its clear-cut utterances 
flinging defiance in the face of oppression, and proclaiming to the world 
that America was henceforth the asylum of freemen. It was an hour 
when strong men trenil)led. But the anxious silence was broken when 
the venerable Dr. Witheispoon, in whose veins flowed the best blood of 
our race, arose and uttered the thrilling words: "To hesitate at this 
moment is to consent to our own slavery. That noble instrument upon 
your table, which insures immortality to its author, should be sub- 
scribed this very morning by every pen in this house. He that will not 
respond to its accents and strain every nerve to carry into effect its pro- 
visions is unworthy the name of freeman. Whatever I may have of 
property or reputation is staked on the issue of this contest; and al- 
though these gray hairs must soon descend into the sepulcher, I would 
infinitely rather that they descend hither by the hand of the execution- 
er than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country."* 

Tliese burning words from one of the most distinguished leaders of 
the Congress carried the matter to a triumpliant conclusion: the lH>c- 
laration of Independence was signed, and the foundation of the Ameri- 
can Government was laid. 

This action of Congress was liailed with universal rejoicings by the 
people, although they knew full well it would involve them in a terri- 
ble and bloody conflict with the British Crown. 

As to the influence which foreshadowed this memorable event, it can- 



* " Presbyterians and the Revolution," page 166. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 9 

not be said that it was wholly brought about by any single cause; but 
the historical writers who speak of this period are free to say that a 
large proportion of the great leaders who influenced the colonies to 
take this decisive step were men of Scotch-Irish blood. " Patrick 
Henry, of Virginia," said Mr. Jefferson, " was far ahead of us all; he 
led the way, and the people from the sea-board to the mountains w-ere 
aroused to action by his burning words." David Caldwell, Ephraim 
Brevard, Alexander Craighead, and James Hall, with their worthy as- 
sociates, had the people of North Carolina educated far in advance of 
the Colonial Congress, as the famous Mecklenburg Declaration illus- 
trated. The two Rutledges, the eloquent Tennant, and others kindled 
the patriotic fires in South Carolina. Dufiield, Wilson, Smith, and 
Thomas Craighead, with their noble associates, prepared the people of 
Pennsylvania for the coming conflict. The action of the citizens of 
Westmoreland and Cumberland Counties, with that of Hanna's Town, 
in May, 1776, told what fearless patriotism the burning words of these 
courageous leaders had enkindled. The people of New Jersey, under 
the teaching of Dr. Witherspoon, were ready and impatiently waiting 
for the hour. Read and McKean were the brave leaders in Delaware. 
Smith, Rodgers, and Livingston, with their famous " Whig Club," con- 
trolled the sentiment of New York. Thornton and Sullivan were lead- 
ers of the people of New Hampshire, and already had their forces fight- 
ing in the field. These all were Scotch-Irishmen, leading and forming 
public opinion everywhere. The Governors of the central and south- 
ern colonies were not far wrong w'hen they informed the home govern- 
ment that the Presbyterian (or Scotch-Irish) clergy were to blame for 
bringing -about the Revolution, and that it was their fiery zeal which 
instigated the people to resistance. That the Scotch-Irish clergy ex- 
erted a most powerful influence upon the people, by their constant and 
faithful instruction in the principles of religious and civil liberty, is 
unquestionably true. How could it be otherwise? On the walls of 
their homes hung the " National Covenants" of Scotland, which many 
of their ancestors had signed with their blood. These famous and his- 
toric covenants form the rugged and storm-beaten background, on 
which came out the glorious Declaration of American Independence. 
The brave, thrilling words of that immortal instrument tell what im- 
portant lessons the author had learned from his maternal ancestry. 
Ephraim Brevard and Thomas Jefferson wrote alike. They drank at 
the same fountain ; they had the same instructor. It can be said, with- 
out fear of challenge, that Scotch-Irish blood flows through every prin- 



10 THE SfOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

ciple written in the declaration whicli forms the foundation of American 
liberty. 

It is a common statement of history that the clergy of the colonies 
were in advance of any other class in urging resistance to the oppress- 
ive legislation of the mother country. The Scotch-Irish clergy, being 
dissenters, were untrammeled, and bravely did they s])eak out in de- 
fense of their country's right. The published sermons of that day show 
how ably the ministry labored to form a public opinion that would stand 
up against every form of tyranny and despotism. 

At that period no single agency in the country had such tremendous 
power as the pulpit. The ministry were universally a highly educated 
class. They were Calvinists in their creed, and they had learned their 
principles of liberty from the word of God. They put the issue upon 
the highest ground. They taught the people that resistance to tyrants 
was a duty to God. Their courageous words led the people irresistibly 
onward. "Arm for freedom's cause, appeal to the God of battles, and 
go forward," was their thrilling appeal sweeping through all the land. 
Gloriously was their work accomplished when " Independence Bell " 
rang out the dawn of freedom's day. 

The public declaration of the colonies that they had severed their 
allegiance to the British Crown, all understood must bring on a fierce 
and bitter war; indeed, Washington, with his armies, was already in 
the field, and the battle had begun. Rapidly the colonists transformed 
themselves into sovereign .States; and, taking the reins of government 
into their own hands, elected their own Legislatures and Governors. 
That seven of the first (Jovernors of the thirteen States should be men 
of Scotch-Irish blood is an honored tribute to that noble race. This 
proud distinction indicates the high estimate in which this people were 
held at the very beginning of the American Kevolution. In the long 
protracted war waged by England to recover her revolted colonies 
the Scotch-Irish people bore a prominent and honoralde part. A 
large number of the most distinguished officers of the army of every 
rank were of this peo})le. (Jens. Knox, AVayne, Montgomery, 
Sullivan, Mercer, Starke, Morgan, Davidson, and many others were 
conspicuous for their heroic deeds and efficient services on many battle- 
fields. 

In the earlier days of the revolution occurred the famous battle of 
Saratoga, in which the entire l^ritish army was captured. This decisive 
victory, defeating the well-conceived stragetic movement to cut the col- 
onies in twain, has been justly regarded as the great turning-point in 
American affairs, and, as a leading English historian says, changing 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 11 

the whole current of future history.* It was this important event which 
secured the alliance of France, the recognition of Spain and Holland, 
besides bringing to the surface a favorable sentiment in England. Two 
brave Scotch-Irish officers, Col. Morgan and Col. Starke, contributed 
largely if not chiefly to this result. Knowing the importance of check- 
ing the invasion from Canada under Burgoyue, Gen. Washington or- 
ganized a regiment of picked riflemen, placed it in command of Col. 
Morgan, and dispatched it to the support of Gen. Gates. On the morn- 
ing of the 7th of October, 1777, the two armies n)et for a decisive strug- 
gle. Col. Morgan connnanded the left wing of the American forces, 
being confronted by Gen. Frazer with the flower of the British array. 
After fighting had continued fiercely for several hours, Frazer fell by 
the deadly aim of Morgan's riflemen ; and, seeing their commander 
borne from the field, the whole British line gave way, and the great 
battle of the war was won. Col. Starke, who had already defeated a 
strong force at Bennington, seized the fords of the Hudson, thereby 
compelling the surrender of the entire British army. The whole coun- 
try was electrified by the victory, and the daring bravery of Morgan 
and Starke were universally applauded. 

During the prosecution of the war the settlements in Western Penn- 
sylvania and Virginia and the new settlements in Kentucky were con- 
tinually threatened and imperiled by Indian raids, sent out by English 
officers from the line of forts between the lakes and the Mississippi 
River. Col. Rogers Clarke, a brave, daring Scotch-Irishman, conceived 
the idea of organizing a secret force to capture these dangerous out- 
posts. He unfolded his bold conception to Gov. Henry, of Virginia, 
and obtained a commission to collect a body of trusty riflemen, and 
such supj^lies as might be needed. He selected men of his own race, 
hardy, courageous, and true. They went forth upon their daring mis- 
sion determined to succeed or perish in the attempt. Tlie expedition 
was a brilliant success: Gov. Hamilton, with his line of forts, was sui'- 
prised and captured. The broad sweep of country from the Ohio to 
the lakes was conquered, and it was the magnificent contribution of a 
few brave Scotch-Irishmen to the government of the United States. 

When the British generals, after a number of manceuvers and 
various engagements, failed to dislodge General Washington from his 
strong position in the hill region of New Jersey, they turned their at- 
tion to the southern part of the country. Lord Cornwallis was in 
command, and marching northward from Charleston, he met and de- 

* Creasy's " Fifteen Decisive Battles," page 37(). 



12 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

feated the colonial forces under General Gates at Camden, which virt- 
ually gave him control of South Carolina. He then advanced his 
position to Charlotte and Salisbury, North Carolina, his purpose being 
to pass rapidly through that State to the southern part of Virginia. 
Suddenly, however, a strong body of Scotch-Irishmen from the valleys 
of the Watauga and the Holston, under the leadership of Campbell, 
Shelby, and Sevier, joined by Williams and Cleaveland, of South 
Carolina, appeared upon the field. They were a bold, fearless body of 
riHemen. (iloom, distress, and almost despair, had settled ujwn the 
Southern colonies. Cornwallis had reported to the British Govern- 
ment that the whole Southern country was subjugated. In a few days 
came the battle of King's i\Iountain. Ferguson was killed, and the 
entire cotumand was captured. It was a Scotch-Irishmen's battle, 
made at their own suggestion, when they heard the enemy were ad- 
vancing into tlie up country. Hope and courage revived everywhere. 
The Southland was the home of the Scotch-Irish, and they were prompt 
and ready to defend it at every cost. This brilliant victory proved 
to be the turning-point of the war in the South, and it was really the 
beginning of the end. Three months later, and only a few miles from 
the same place, General Morgan, the hero of Saratoga, fought the 
famous battle of the Cowpens, completely routing Tarleton's entire 
command, and inflicting a most disastrous blow upon the British 
army. 

This brilliant victory of General Morgan and his Scotch-Irish troops 
thrilled the whole country with rejoicing. General Davidson, of North 
Carolina, wrote that the victory " gladdened every countenance and 
l)aved the way for the salvation of the country." The State of Vir- 
ginia voted General Morgan a horse and sword in testimony of the 
" highest esteem of his country for his military character and abilities 
so gloriously displayed." Congress placed on record the " most 
lively sense of approbation of the conduct of General Morgan and the 
men and officers under his command;"-'^ also voting him a gold medal, 
inscribing upon it the terse but complimentary words. " Virtus unita 
valet: " " United virtue prevails." Of the effect of this signal victory 
upon the country Lord Cornwallis wrote to General Clinton, the cona- 
mander in chief of the British forces in America: " It is impossible to 
foresee all the consequences that this unexpected and extraordinary 
event may produce." "As the defeat of Ferguson at King's Mountain 
made to Cornwallis the first invasion of 2sorth Carolina impossible, so 

* Bancroft's "History of the United States," Volume V., page 484. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 13 

Tarleton foresaw that the battle of Cowpens would make the second 
disastrous." These two decisive victories, won by the heroic valor and 
patriotism of men of Scotch-Irish blood, foreshadowed the coming sur- 
render of Yorktown. It was the hour when the fatal handwriting 
came out upon the wall, pointing England to the inevitable result. In 
her folly she had sown to the wind ; in her bitterness she must reap the 
whirlwind. 

Mr. Bancroft, the cultured historian of the American revolution, in 
referring to this last distinguished service which General Morgan ren- 
dered to his country, sums up his career in this forcible language: 
"Appointed by Congress at the outbreak of hostilities a Captain of 
Provincials, he raised a body of riflemen and marched from the valley 
of Virginia to Boston in twenty-one days. He commanded the van in 
the fearful march through the wildei-ness to Canada. Thrice he led a 
forlorn hope before Quebec. To him belongs the chief glory of the 
first great engagement with Burgoyne's army, and he shared in all 
that followed till the surrender; and now he had won at the Cowpens 
the most astounding victory of the war. Forced into retirement by ill 
health brought on by exposure, he took with him the praises of all the 
army, and of the chief civil representatives of the country. He was at 
the time the ablest commander of light troops in the world. In no 
European army of that day were there troops like those that he trained. 
The corps under him so partook of his spirit that they were fashioned 
into one life, one energy, and one action."* 

In reviewing the difterent influences which worked jointly and so 
successfully to the achievement of American independence we are 
persuaded that the American clergy have not yet received at the hands 
of an enlightened public sentiment that tribute of recognition and 
praise, to which their distinguished services so justly entitled them. 
Mr. Headley, in his attractive little volume " The Chaplains and Clergy 
of the Revolution," has done something to vindicate the memory of 
these noble and godly men, who stood bravely up for their country's 
right in that perilous day. 

He begins his little work with these significant words: "Notwith- 
standing the numberless books that have been written on the American 
Revolution, there is one feature of it which has been overlooked. I 
mean the religious element. In this respect there is not a single history 
of that great struggle which is not so radically defective as to render 
the charge against it of incompleteness a valid one. And he who for- 



* Bancroft's " History of the United States," Volume V., pages 488, 480. 



14 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

gets or underestimates the moral forces that uphold or bear on a great 
struggle lacks the chief qualities of an historian." * In speaking of the 
American clergy on the present occasion and the part they bore in the 
great struggle of the Revolution, we are restricted of course to those 
who belong to the Scotch-Irish race. The ministers who were of this 
blood were almost without exception Presbyterians, and without ex- 
ception, too, they were stanch supporters of the cause of American 
liberty. Having urged resistance to the unjust legislation of the Brit- 
ish Crown, they were not wanting in the hour when the conflict came. 
Being men of liberal culture and thoroughly conversant with the issues 
involved in the struggle, it is not surprising that tlieir influence was 
great among the people. No class of men did so much to fire the i)opu- 
lar heart with a determined spirit of resistance. 

Craighead, ]\IcWhirter, Hall, Tennant, and others, all ministers, were 
sent into different sections of the country to arouse and stir the people 
to action in the great crisis. Many of them raised companies and regi- 
ments and courageously led them in battle. jNIany were chaplains in 
the army ; and when reverses and depressions came, it was their stirring 
appeals which kept the patriotic fires burning, and awakened fresh 
courage for a renewed struggle. They served in almost every capacity. 
They were in Legislatures, in State conventions, in councils of safety, in 
all positions which required wisdom, vigor, and decision. "Washington 
knew the value of these distinguished men as counselors. Wither- 
spoon, Rodgers, McWhirter, Caldwell, and Dufiicld were often in con- 
ference with him in the darkest days of the Revolution. He knew he 
had their sympathies, and he had respect for their judgment. He some- 
times risked important luovenieuts on their information about places, 
persons, and surroundings, and they never failed him. 

l{ev. Dr. Witherspoon, of Princeton, was one of the most conspicuous 
characters of this ])eriod. He served in the Continental ('ongress for a 
number of years, and it was conceded that he had no superior in that 
distinguished body. He was a member of every important committee, 
and his influence was recognized as a most potent factor in guiding the 
government safMy tlirough that stormy period. 

Tennant, of Charleston, was the close associate of the Rutledges, the 
Pinkneys, Drayton, and Gadsden; they knew his strength and sought 
his counsel. He was a meuiberof the State convention, and it was his 
powerful influence with tlie people wiiich aroused them from their 
lethargy, when brave men feared all was lost. 

* Headley's "Chaplains and Clerjiy of the Revolution," pages 13, 14. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OP THE UNITED STATES. 15 

Turning to New Jersey, we find the Rev. James Caldwell the popu- 
lar idol of the State. As chaplain of the First Brigade, he kept the 
enthusiasm of the troops to the highest pitch. When reverses came, 
his resolute spirit rose with the hour. He flung despondency to the 
winds, giving encouragement to all by his cheering words. When the 
supplies of the army were running short, and all efforts to secure 
them Avei-e unavailing, he was induced to accept the position of Assist- 
ant Commissary General. Such was his indomitable energy and his 
personal favor with all classes that he soon had the army amply supplied. 
To him the general ofiicers looked continuously for reliable informa- 
tion about the enemy. He seemed ubiquitous, and nothing could es- 
cape his keen, penetrating scrutiny. Washington esteemed his service 
invaluable. The invading force could keep nothing concealed from 
his incessant watchfulness. His own vigorous enthusiasm he imparted 
to the people everywhere. He seemed by intuition to know the plans 
of the enemy, and so often did he thwart their plans and pur])oses in 
their inception, that a large price was offered for his capture. On one 
occasion he ventured to his home, aiming to get his flimily out of the 
way of the frequent raids of the enemy. Apprised of his coming, the 
Hessian troopers made an effort to capture him ; but failing in their de- 
signs, they murdered his wife in the presence of her children, firing the 
manse over them, and only the prompt efforts of neighbors saved the 
little children and the dead body of the mother from the flames. It 
was a fearful blow to the husband and father. His sufferings seemed, 
however, if possible, to give him greater influence with the army and 
the people. The best families of the State asked the privilege of caring 
for his motherless children. Lafayette adopted one of his sons, and gave 
him the love and opportunities of his princely home. His trials in- 
creased, rather than relaxed, his energies in the varied offices in which 
he served. When the battle came, he was always with the soldiers in 
the thickest of the fight. On one occasion, in a hot engagement at the 
village of Springfield, he discovered the fire of one of the companies 
slackened for want of wadding; he quickly rushed into a Presbyterian 
church near by, gathered an araiful of Watts's hymn books, distribut- 
ed them along tlie line, and said : " Now put Watts into them, boys." 
With a laugh and a cheer they rammed the charges home, and gave 
the British Watts w ith a will. 

The upper })art of New Jersey being a strong strategic position, Gen. 
Washington kept a strong force there continuously; and the im- 
portant service of Mr. Caldwell, until the day he fell by the hand of 
an assassin, it would be impossible to overstate. " He was a man of un- 



16 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

wearied activity, aiid wonderful powers. Feelings of the most glow- 
ing piety and the most fervent patriotism occui)ied his bosom at the 
same time, without interfering with eacli other. He was one day 
preaching to the battalion; the next, providing ways and means for 
their support; and the next, marching with them in battle. If defeat- 
ed, assisting in the most efficient way to conduct their retreat ; if vic- 
torions, offering their united thanksgiving to God, and the next day 
carrving the consolations of the gospel to some afflicted or dying par- 
ishioner."'^- 

Would that time would permit the mention of other clergymen — 
Evans, Rogers, Allen, Kerr, Cummins, David Caldwell, Patillo, Alex- 
ander Craighead — all belonging to this patriotic race, who wrought 
with great power and efficiency in the struggle for American independ- 
ence! 

When a careful review is made of the powerful and influential 
causes which led to the successful achievement of our national rights 
and liberties, we are j)ersuaded no single influence will stand out with 
greater prominence than tliat of the American clergy. 

We have sj)oken of statesmen, of warriors, of clergymen, of battle- 
fields and victories that give honor and renown to the Scotch-Irish 
name. All, however, has not been said. There is another chapter of 
our history which can never be forgotten, and over it may be placed 
the bold head-lines: The Power behind the Throne, that is greater than 
the Throne itself. 

What shall be said of the women of the Scotch-Irish blood? Glo- 
rious women are they. They suffered; they endured; they toiled; they 
struggled; they encouraged ; they prayed ; they comforted. They were 
wounded; they were sabered ; they were murdered; they died like he- 
roes; they were faithful to their country; they were faithful to their 
sires, their husbands, and their sons. They have made Scotch-Irishmen 
the best blood in the world. 

In this presentation of the imj)()rtant and distinguished i)art taken 
by the Scotch-Irish in bringing the struggle for American Independ- 
ence to a successful issue, we would express the highest admiration for 
the illustrious part borne by others in securing this common heritage. 

In the first great crisis of the Kevolution, when the sacred cause of 
our liberties seemed to tremble in the balance, men of Scotch-Irish 
blood threw themselves into the breach, and struck a blow that made 
Saratoga immortal. At a later period, when the enemy had overrun the 

*Headley'8 "Chaplains and Clergy of the Revolution," pages 230, 231. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 17 

Southland and were proudly boasting that the end was near, the brave 
sons of Ulster gave a lesson in the science of war at King's Mountain, 
at the Cowpeus, and at Guilford Court-house, which taught the British 
Crown that not a foot of American soil had been conquered, after all 
the seven years' warfare. And when the "Articles of Peace" Avere 
signed, the Western boundaries of the United States were lifted from the 
top of the Alleghanies to the banks of the Mississippi, and because a hand- 
ful of daring Scotch-Irishmen had said with their rifles : " It must be so." 

And still another word must be written, which reflects imperishable 
honor upon the noble character of this people. In the dark days of 
Valley Forge, when Washington was sorely tried, and his spirit heavi- 
ly burdened, when men in the Congress and in the army, who should 
have held up his hands, were combining to accomplish his removal, 
thanks to the God of the brave, no Scotch-Irishman ever laid the 
weight of a feather upon the troubled heart of their country's chief- 
tain. Everywhere, in the Congress, in the army, in the gloomiest days 
of the Revolution, this patriotic people stood by their great commander, 
until he returned his commission into the hands of those who gave it, 
with its sacred trust gloriously accomplished. And in after days, when 
times of peace had come, and Virginia was prompted to give to Gen. 
AVashington a testimonial of her appreciation of his distinguished serv- 
ices, he received it; but, turning to the Scotch-Irishmen of the Valley 
of Virginia, who had stood by him in his darkest hours, he presented 
the entire donation to them for their " Liberty Hall," that their sons 
might be educated in the principles of their noble sires. 

When the great Revolution of 1776 was brought to a successful 
termination, and the British Government recognized the independence 
of the United States, the American people found themselves confront- 
ed with a profound prol>lem full of difficulties and dangers. A better 
organized and more efficient government must be constructed, while 
the eyes of the nations are looking upon the bold venture with intense 
concern. The outside })ressure of a common enemy being removed, 
the thirteen colonies felt for the first time the full meaning of their in- 
dividual independence and sovereignty. The experience of a few years 
very clearly demonstrated that the "Articles of Confederation " were 
not sufficient as a bond of government between the States. The army 
had been disbanded. Congress was powerless to execute its regulations, 
and sectional jealousies were rife. It was a critical period, and strong 
men trembled as they looked into the future. But behind the cloud the 
hand of an all-wise Providence was steadily guiding the destinies of the 

American people. 

2 



18 THE SC'OTCn-IRISH PEOPLE. 

On tlie 14tli ot'May, 17<S7, a Conveutioii of all the States was as- 
sembled at Pliiladelphia to construct a better and more satisfactory 
government, wliich should effectually secure to the people their rights 
and liberties and create a stronger bond of union. It was a sul)lime 
spectacle, the like of whicli had never filled any page of liuman histo- 
r3^ Tiie Convention was a l)ody of great and disinterested men, who 
fully realized the difficult and responsible task before them. ^Iv. Cur- 
tis, in his able work on the Constitution, says: "There were men in 
that assend)ly whom for genius of statesmanship and for ])r()f()und spec- 
ulation in all that relates to the science of government the world has 
never seen overmatched."* 

Washington was unanimously made the President of the Conven- 
tion, a position scarcely less important than that of commander of 
the American armies. In accepting the position he addressed a few 
words to the delegates with great candor and solenniity, urging integ- 
rity in the work before them, and closed with the impressive utterance: 
" The event is in the hands of God." The deliberations of the Conven- 
tion were continued consecutively until the 17th of Se])tend)er, a pe- 
riod of about four months, when that immortal instrument, the Consti- 
tution of the United States, was concluded, adopted, and sent to the 
several States for their ratification. The mend)ers were awe-struck 
at the result of their counsels: the Constitution was a nobler work 
than any one of them had believed it possible to devise. 

After a century's history we see the wonderful wisdom with which 
they builded. Mr. Gladstone, the great English statesman, speaking 
of the American Constitution, says that it is "the most wonderful work 
ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man." 
Mr. Alexander Stephens, one of the profoundest writers on the 
American government, speaking of the framers of the Constitution, 
refers to them as "the ablest body of jurors, legislators, and statesmen 
that has ever assembled on the continent of America." The Constitu- 
tion formed at this period is often spoken of as a compromise measure. 
This is true only in a certain sense. All were agreed that the new 
general government must have granted such powers as will give it ef- 
ficiency and support; all else must be reserved to the States. The dis- 
tribution and linking together in the best regulated form these several 
powers were matters of compromise. In working out this difficult 
problem of the constitutional government for the American people, 
men of Scotch-Irish blood bore a distinguished part, for they were well 

* " Curtis on the Constitution," Volume I., page 387. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 19 

and ably represented in that body of intellectual giants. Alexander 
Hamilton, James Wilson, and John Rutledge were of this people, and 
they were three of the most conspicuous leaders in the Convention, 
their extraordinary abilities all lying in different directions. After an 
elaborate discussion of the principal matters which were in some way 
to be embodied in the Constitution, Mr. Rutledge was appointed 
chairman of a committee of five to make the first draft of this wonder- 
ful instrument.* Mr. Bancroft, speaking of this important committee, 
the majority of which were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, takes occasion to 
say of Mr. Rutledge: "That he was the foremost statesman of his 
time south of Virginia. He was the pride of his State, and always 
looked to whenever the aspect of affliirs was the gravest. In the dark- 
est hours he was intrepid, hopeful, inventive of resources, and resolute, 
so that timidity and wavering disai)peared before him." f Patrick Hen- 
ry pronounced him the most eloquent man in the Congress of 1774. 
The logical structure and frame- work of the Constitution is in a large de- 
gree the work of Mr. Rutledge, giving immortal honor to his name and 
race. When shortly afterward the Constitution was before the State 
Convention of Pennsylvania for adoption, Mr. Wilson, being a mem. 
ber of the body, made the most powerful and comprehensive analysis 
of its principles and powers that has ever yet been heard.;}; It was Mr. 
Hamilton's brilliant abilities that won over Xew York to the adop- 
tion of the Constitution, The indorsement of Rutledge carried the 
matter before the Convention of South Carolina. 

Mr. Madison, who took such an active part in the construction of 
the Constitution, and was so closely allied with Mr. Hamilton in secur- 
ing its adoption by the country, has been sometimes denominated a 
Scotch-Irishman by faith. He was most thoroughly imbued with the 
ideas and opinions of this people. To quote Mr. Bancroft again, he 
speaks repeatedly of Mr. Madison as being a thorough disciple of Dr. 
Witherspoon, of Princeton, by whom he was educated. He is an il- 
lustration of the fact that the teacher sometimes re-appears with con- 
spicuous power in his pupil. Mr. Madison is not the only student who 
came away from Princeton having his whole being permeated by the 
instructions received from the master spirit presiding there. The pro- 
found principles of civil and religious liberty could almost be felt in 
the atmosphere of Princeton. 

* Elliot's "Debates," pages 216, 217. 

t Bancroft's " History of the United States," Volume ^'l., page 274. 

+ Elliot's " Debates," Volume II., pages 418-529. 



20 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLE. 

In April, 1789, the government of the United States was organized, 
and Washington for the tliird time was called to take the headship of 
the affairs of liis country ; and when Chancellor Livingston administered 
the oath of office and cried, " Long live George AVashington, Presi- 
dent of the United States I" the earth shook with loud iiuzzas, and 
there flashed through the heavens the words of the Hebrew prophet, 
that " a nation shall be born at once." In that auspicious hour the 
principles of constitutional liberty lifted up their gorgeous structure to 
the gaze of an astounded world, and freedom, putting aside her battle- 
rent garments, was [)eacefully wedded to the hearts of three millions of 
American freemen. It was a glorious day, full of thrilling interest, 
and radiant with anticipations for the future; and yet there lurked in 
many hearts a tinge of anxiety lest all might not go well as the new 
" Ship of State" loosed from her moorings. 

But he whose hand was upon the helm chose wisely his counselors. 
Mr. Jefferson was chosen Secretary of State ; Alexander Hamilton, Sec- 
retary of tlie Treasury; Henry Knox, Secretary of War; Randolph, of 
Virginia, Attorney-general. Ivutledge, Wilson, lilair, and Iredell 
were appointed Associate Justices for the Supreme Court. Distin- 
guished sons were they all of that noble race who by their courageous 
lives for their countiy and their Ciod have made Scotland and Ireland 
famous forever. 

On the assembling of the first Congress in April, 1789, under the 
new Constitution, it was found that a large nundjer of the States had 
proposed a series of amendments, and the first of these was to the ef- 
fect that '* Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of 
religion." The separation of the Church and State is universally re- 
garded as one of the most remaikai)le features of the government of 
the United States, This great triumph in favor of religious liberty was 
not secured without a fierce struggle. Some maintained that the Chris- 
tian religion should have the protection and sujjpoj-t of the State. Oth- 
ers held to the conviction that the Protestant religion in some of its 
forms should be established by law. So soon as the separate colonies 
began organizing independent State governments it was evident that this 
question would have to be met. In October, 177(5, the Scotch-Irish 
people of Virginia brought this question in a clear, distinct issue before 
the Legislature of Virginia in an able memorial to that body from the 
Presbytery of Hanover. The paper had been prepared with care, and 
went straight to the mark. It produced a [jrofound impression. It 
was the first meeting of the Legislature as an independent State, and 
many foresaw that religious establishment was doomed. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 21 

In April, 1777; May, 1784; October, 1784; and August, 1785, this 
Presbytery of Hanover presented additional memorials of great ability 
on the same subject. Mr. Jefferson, in 1779, presented to the Legisla- 
ture his famous bill establishing religious freedom. It was a bold enun- 
ciation of a grand })rinciple, important to Church and State alike. In 
what way the author reached his wonderful conclusions he has not in- 
timated. He had before him, however, the able memorials of the Han- 
over Presbytery, which discussed the whole question in the most ex- 
haustive manner. On the 10th of January, 1786, the bill became a 
law, and the victory for religious freedom was won. Mr. Madison ad- 
vocated the bill in a speech of great ability; and when it was passed, he 
said: "In Virginia was extinguislied forever the ambitious hope of 
making laws for the human mind." 

"The principle on which religious lil)erty was settled in Virginia 
prevailed at once in jMaryland. In every other State oppressive stat- 
utes concerning religion fell into disuse, and were gradually repealed. 
This statute of Vii'ginia, translated into French and Italian, was wide- 
ly circulated through Europe."* 

The demand of the first Congress for an amendment prohibiting any 
establishment of I'eligion was a result brought about by the protracted 
and fierce struggle in the Virginia Legishiture. 

To the Scotch-Irish people is due the distinguished hcmor of ingrafting 
the profound principle into the government of the United States: A 
free Church unthin a free State. As far back as 1729 they demanded 
that all expressions in the Constitution of their Church referring to the 
exercise of powers by the civil magistrate in ecclesiastical affairs should 
be stricken out. And when the colonies threw off their allegiance to 
the British Crown, they raised the question at once that religion should 
not be established by the State in any form, leaving every one free to 
worship the divine Being in any manner or way they migiit choose. 
It was a gloi'ious achievement, and it seems impossiI)le to realize the 
magnitude of the blessings which it conveys. 

In estimating the influence of the Scotch-Irish race in the formation 
of the government of the United States, there can be but one conclu- 
sion arrived at by a careful study of the history of that period, and that 
is that it was paramount to any other. 

At the beginning of the American Revolution the blood of this race 
had a fiir wider distribution in this country than is generally supposed. 
Intermarriage gave a rapid intermingling with other classes of people; 

* Bancroft's "History of the United States," Volume VI., pasie 158. 
2* 



11 THE SCOTCH-IRISH pi:orLE. 

and when events began to foresliadow the f'orniaticni of a new govern- 
ment by the colonies, well-nigh half the |ioi)ulation had this blood 
flowing through their veins. As a class, this people were vei y largely 
I'resbyterians in their religions opinions; and thereby they became em- 
bodied into a compact and powerful ("luirch organization, giving tre- 
mendous force and intensity to their influence. On the great questions 
of the day they were virtually an organized unit, converged into a 
burning focus; and it is not surprising that their influence was felt 
everywhere, giving form and character to |nil)lic opinion on all these 
issue.s. Their ecclesiastical government extended into most if not all of 
the colonies; and their asseniblies, coming together year by year, taught 
the lesson and exhil)ited the advantages of a strong, oi-ganized unity. 
Far across the wateis the British Crown and Parliament saw what 
must be the inevitable outworking of these Presbyterian Synods. It 
was very manifest that this powerful ecclesiastical organization was 
rajjidly educating the public mind to see the great benefils to be de- 
rived from a compact jiolitical body in resisting all encroachments upon 
their civil liberties. The Scotch-Irish |)eoplc thoroughly understood 
the advantages of their Presbyterian system, and the disjointed elements 
of the revolutionary period felt and recognized its unifying |)owei-. 
There can be no (juestion as to the fact that the American common- 
wealth is the outgrowth of that Presbyterian polity which was so 
thoroughly interwoven into the lives and convictions of the peo- 
ple who constructed it. If there was any one thing more obnoxious 
than another to the Stuarts and the Georges, who sat upon the Piitish 
throne, it was Presbyterianism. To them it was the embodiment of all 
that was dangerous to the high prerogatives of kings: it was a fierce 
lion in the way when royal authority disregarded the rights and liber- 
ties of the people. 

No people have ever enjoyed to a greater extent the l)lessings of con- 
stitutional lii)erty than have the people of this cou)itry; but it must 
not be forgotten that this blessed heritage cannot become a permanent 
possession if the principles which underlie the American (Jovernuient 
are allowed to slip from the mind. It is still true that " eternal vigi- 
lance is the price of liberty." The succe.«s of the government of the 
I'nited States has immeasnral)ly overleaped the boundaries anticii'-ated 
by tliipsr who laid its foundations with a trusting but treml)ling hand. 
The principles, which were ready for the using, came to their hands 
battle-scarred with the conflicts of centuries, but never yet had they 
been built up into a great constitutional government, guaranteeing to 
millions of freetuen their rights and liberties under law. This ".^rand 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 

and immortal work was accomplished by our fathers, and blessed be 
their memories to the latest generation! 

It is a surprising fact that no elaborate and exhaustive work has yet 
been written upon the American Government, althougli it is the great 
wonder of the nations. The work of Mr. Curtis, Mr. Frothingham, 
and Prof. Johnston, while useful and attractive, are mainly historical. 
The learned work of Judge Story has the nature of a legal interpreta- 
tion of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the land. By far 
the ablest and most comprehensive treatise on the Constitution and 
Government of the United States is written by Mr. Calhoun. No man 
gave more profound thought to the principles and genius of the govern- 
ment of this country, and it is greatly to be regretted that he did not 
live to revise and prepare his work for publication himself. DeToc- 
queville, the eminent French statesman and political philosopher, in 
his " Democracy in America," has produced a very able work on Amer- 
ican C4overnment and institutions. He has shown a very keen and phil- 
osophic perception of the varied characteristics of the government and 
its workings with the people. He saw, as by intuition, the deep root- 
ings of some of its fundamental principles, as is seen in the following 
utterances: "The most profound and capacious minds of Rome and 
Gi'eece were never able to reach the idea, at once so general and so sim- 
ple, of the common likeness of men, and of the common birthright of 
each to freedom." He also said: "The advent of Jesus Christ upon 
earth was required to teach that all the members of the human race are 
by nature equal and alike." -'^ 

The American Government is generally believed to be a legitimate 
outgrowth of the English Government in its general features, only such 
changes being made as were required to give it a republican form. That 
the Constitution and the Government of the United States owe much 
to "Magna Charta" and the "Bill of Rights," is certainly true; but 
the profound principles of this wonderful structure are much older than 
this. They have the strength and vigor of centuries, and find their 
first announcement from ]Mount Sinai, where the great Hebrew com- 
monwealth was framed and given to the Hebrew people as a direct 
revelation from God himself That was the only civil government 
which the divine Being has ever formed for the human fi\mily. He 
gave the Ten Commandments as a wi'itten Constitution, and gave be- 
sides a code of specific laws to govern the daily life. It was a perfect 
government; needed no amendments; nothing was to be repealed; noth- 

*DeTocqueville's "Democracy in America," Volume II., jiage 15. 



24 THE SCOTCH-IRISH PEOPLK. 

injr was to be added. The people immediately organized under it, and 
all went well. The Hebrews had a population of about two millions; 
the American people had about the same. Tiie Hebrews were divided 
into twelve tribes, each with a definite territory and a specific govern- 
ment; the Americans were divided into thirteen tribes or colonies, each 
with a definite territory and a specific government. The twelve tribes 
formed a federal government, known as the Hebrew commonwealth; 
the thirteen colonies formed a federal government, known as the 
American commonwealth. These ai'e the only two governments in 
human hi;-tory which came into existence at once, and under a written 
Constitution. Tiiey are the two best governments the race has ever 
enjoyed. ^Nloses was the first head of the one, Washington was the 
first head of the other, and the divine Ik^ng the recognized Head and 
Author of both. It would seem thut there is here something more than 
similarity. The principles which enter into the structure of the one 
enter into the structure of the other: they are both republics. 

This wonderful Hebrew c(jminonwealth was located by the divine 
Being at the confluence of three continents, and was set upon a hill to 
be the light of the world for all time. The nations which came in con- 
tact with the Hebrews borrowed from them in many things. Gale, in 
his celebrated work, "The Court of the Gentiles,"* shows conclusively 
how liberally the Greeks borrowed from Moses, both as to laws and 
philosophy. Solon and Plato were evidently conversant with the 
writings of Moses. 

The Twelve Tables of the Romans were confessedly borrowed from the 
Grecian legislation, and so linked with the Mosaic laws, lioth ancient 
and modern writers of Roman history state that the individuals com- 
missioned by the Senate and Tribune to form the Twelve Tables were 
directed to examine the laws of Athens and the Grecian cities. Such 
a ])r()cedure was but natural, that the written laws of older nations 
should be examined in framing a new code of laws for the Roman Gov- 
ernment, Sismondi, in his " History of the Fall of the Roman Em- 
|)ire," t mentions the fact that " when Alfred the Great ordered a repul)- 
lication of the Saxon hiws he had inserted several laws taken from the 
.huhiical ritual into the statutes." Tlie same author states that " one 
of the first acts of tiie clergy under Pepin and Charlemagne of France 
was to introduce into the legislation of the Franks several of the 
Mosaic laws f()un(l in the books of the Pentateuch." The leained 



■Wiiics's " Laws (if tlu' Amiciit Hebrews," pages .33(), ^S7. 
fSprinir's "0))lii,'atii>n of the World to the Bihlc," pages 7(>, 



INFLUENCE UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 25 

Michaelis, Professor of Law in the University of Gottinger, remarks 
that "a man who considers laws philosophically, who would survey 
them with the eye of a Montesquieu, would never overlook the laws 
of Moses." The able historian, Millman, in his " History of the Jews," 
speaking of Moses, and the wide acquaintance with his writings among 
other nations, affirms, that " the Hebrew law-giver has exercised a 
more extensive and permanent influence over the destinies of man- 
kind than any other individual in the annals of the world." That 
the succeeding ages, as well as those that were contemporaneous, were 
deeply indebted to Mosaic institutions, is unquestionably true. Moses 
himself foresaw this, and labored to impress the thought upon his 
countrymen as a powerful motive for the careful observance of their 
institutions. "Keep therefore" said he, " and do them; for this is 
your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, 
which shall hear of all these statutes, and say, Surely this great na- 
tion is a wise and understanding people." * The distinguished writers 
of every country, who have written elaborately of the fundamental 
laws of society, which secure individual rights and protect the personal 
interest of all parties, refer almost without exception to the Hebrew 
government and its institutions as the original source of all such laws. 
Beyond all question, the Hebrew commonwealth is the background, 
out of which has been brought the greatest and most perfect human 
structure the world has ever seen — the American coinmoiixveallh. 

The American people obtained their ideas of liberty and right di- 
rectly from the word of God; they knew there was no mistake in the 
teaching, and this made them courageous and determined in the strug- 
gle for their liberties. 

The framers of the American Government often in their writings 
speak of the natural right, which belongs to all men, and were possibly 
unconscious of the source of the great idea. Gratian, the distinguished 
Puritan writer, in defending natural right, said: " He termeth it that 
which the books of the law and the gospel do contain." The people 
who founded the government of the United States were thoroughly 
conversant with the word of God, and they thoroughly understood its 
infallible teachings as to the rights of men. The Bible is the original 
and true foundation of our American government. People in other 
lands have made this important discovery. Montesquieu has said: 
" Christianity is a stranger to despotic power." f DeTocqueville, an- 



* Deuteronomy, chapter iv. 6. 

t Spring's "Obligation of the World to the Bible," page 91. 



26 THE SCOTCri-IRISH PEOPLE. 

other brilliant ami iii.striiotive writer, says of the relij^non of the gospel : 
" It is the companion of liberty in all its battles and all its conflicts; 
the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims."^- 

The people of Scotch-Irish blood, who wielded snch a powerful in- 
fluence in the formation of the government of the United States, were 
a people wiiose lives and beilig were permeated with the teachings of 
the word of God. From that divine source they gathered the profound 
principles of civil and religious liberty, which they were determined to 
assert aud maintain at any and every cost. The blessings and privi- 
leges which are enjoyed under the administration of the constitutional 
government of our country teach in a most conspicuous way the value 
of the principles which enter into its structure. But when it is seen 
that these principles of human right and liberty are grounded in the 
word of (Jod, that they are in reality a direct revelation from the di- 
vine Mind, they take on a value and measure of excellence which can 
only be measured by the purposes of the great God himself. 

With what watchfulness and care should the citadel of American 
liberties be guarded! Here in this heaven-favored land shines the 
light, the glorious light of constitutional liberty, which is to lighten 
the world. 

Never, never, to the latest day, can America forget the precious 
blood of Ulster's sons. In the conflict for freedom they were conspic- 
uous for unfaltering fidelity and indomitable courage. In that critical 
hour, when a constitutional government was to be formed, the genius 
and spirit of this wonderful jjcople led the way; and when the amazing 
structure was complete. Providence wrote the words upon the pages of 
human history that .Scotch-Irishmen had come to America for such a 
time as this. 




NVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE 
OF AMERICA. 



THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE. 



iNthe year 1856 a very remarkable book was published byEev.Mr. 
Blakely, a Scottish clergyman, which bore the striking title: "The 
Theology of Inventions." He maintains, with gi'eat force, the prop- 
osition that there is a divine providence in all inventions. His argu- 
ment is a strong one, characterized by much ability and research. He 
claims that God has bestowed all the powers possessed by the in- 
ventor; that he is the creator of the material world out of which 
every invention is jjroduced, and so there must be a divine provi- 
dence in all inventions, as they appear in human history. 

The endowments of the human mind, as well as the nature and 
laws of matter, being qualities bestowed by a wise and beneficent 
Creator, they cannot legitimately be divorced from the designs had 
in view by their author. 

If human life in all generations is under the guidance of divine 
jirovidence, then all inventions and discoveries, which so modify and 
change the curi"ents and developments of human life can no longer 
be considered as matters of accident, but results, which find their 
birth and advent at times when the greater good would accrue to 
humanit}-. He who studies carefully the problems of human his- 
tory, how certain people are prepared for great eras, when wonder- 
ful achievements are gained and the interests of mankind are wi- 
dened and enlarged, will be constrained to admit the statement as 
true that there is a Theology in Inventions. 

The question may be asked, and with much significance, why 
were the great inventions and discoveries, which have been such a 
blessing to mankind, not found out until these modern days? If all 
inventions and discoveries have the hand of an all-wise Providence 
behind them, why Avas their advent so long delayed; and when they 
did come, why were thej^ so largely developed out of a jjarticular 
people, commonly known as the Anglo-Saxon race? These are ques- 
tions full of interest to the thoughtful and investigating mind, and 
open up fields of research which have as yet been but little explored. 
Such problems, however, cannot be discussed on this present occasion. 

It is a proverb of much l»roader meaning than man}' suppose that 



30 THE INVENTOHS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE. 

"necessity is the ihoIIut <>f invcMitioii." Tlie (leinands of society, 
of commerce, and of civilization, have generally indicated the direc- 
tion in which inventive skill should direct its energies. The great- 
est achievements of inventors have usually l>een the greatest bless- 
ings to humanity. It is ])i'ecminent ly true that inventors deserve 
well of their fellow-men. They are the great henetactors of their 
race. Many of them have had io struggle through great poverty, 
trials, and ridicule hefore success could he ohtained. It is a sad and 
painful reHection ui>on our race that some of the greatest inventors 
have had theii- inventions tilched from theii- hands, enriching mul- 
titudes and even nations, while they themselves have died in pov- 
erty and neglect. Sutfei-ing, ]ienury, and mart3'rdom have been the 
only rewards for some of the most useful inventions of the world. 
It seems incivdil)le that these great benefactors of the human familj- 
should have received such recom])ense at the han<ls of their fellow- 
men. 

With these general remarks upon the subject of inventions, we 
invite attention to some prominent Inventors of the Scotch-Irish 
race. This rennirkable people are not less distinguished in tlu' art 
of invention than in other ])roniinent characteristics whieh have 
marked their history. 



ROBERT FULTON. 

It will ever be a proud Ijoast of Scotch-Irishmen that Ilobert Ful- 
ton was of that blood. To Mr. Fulton belongs the distinguished hon- 
or of applying the power of steam successfully to water navigation. 
This wonderful invention revolutionized the transportation and 
commerce of the world. Its beneficial eifects to all nations no 
language could possibly estimate. It opened up the grandest era 
of human history, and gave such an impulse to the work of civiliza- 
tion as had never been known before. 

Robert Fulton was born in Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pa., 
1765. He was of respectable, though not wealthy family. His 
father and mother were of Scotch-Irish blood. Their families were 
supposed to be a part of the great emigration from Ireland in 1730- 
31. The Fulton family were probably aniong the early settlers of 
the town of Lancaster, as the father of Eobert Fulton was one of 
the founders of the Presl)yterian Church of that place. The early 
training of Eobert Fulton was entirely in the hands of his mother, 
and his noble and exem])lary life told how faithful she had been to 
her trust. The father died when his son Ilobert was only three 
years of age. The mother gave him as good an English education 
as her circumstances would permit, and then secured for him an ap- 
prenticeship with a prominent jeweler in Philadelphia. Here the 
splendid career of Fulton began. His genius for mechanics and 
painting was early exhibited. His hours of recreation were sj^ent 
either in the mechanic's sho]) or in the studio with his pencil. With 
his first earnings he procured for his mother a comfortable home, 
showing the value he set upon her care and concern in his behalf. 
His power as an artist developed rapidlj^, and he was persuaded to 
go to London and become a pupil of Mr. West, who was then one of 
the most famous artists of the day, and an American. He was most 
favorably received by Mr. West, and so imj^ressed was he with the 
jn'omising talent of his pupil that he took him to his own home, where 
he enjoyed the instruction of this great master for several j'ears. 

But the drift of Mr. Fulton's genius laj^ in another direction. 
He could not be content in the artist's studio, however promising- 
might be the result. He is soon found associated with the Duke 
of Bridgewater and Lord Stanhope, in making im]iortant imjn-ove- 



32 



TIIK INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH KACE. 



inents in \\\c canal system of England, it is aliout lliis timr. 1703, 
that .Mr. Fnlton tirst conceived the idea of propelling river lioals 
and seagoing vessels h}- steam power. an<l in some of his manusei'ipts 
iu' speaks with great confidence of its practicabilit}'. The broad 
question of navigation and commerce in their international aspects 
occupied much of his thoughts, and he wrote some elaborate trea- 
tises, urging the English and French goverinuents to give their at- 
tention to these matters as a means of develo])ing and ])romoting 
till- pros|nTity of this country and j)eopk'. The oni' ipiesiion wliieli 
predominated in his nund ail (he while as he elal)oi'ated his various 
inventions was; Will the ha|»piness and prosperit}' of the peo])le l»e 
Ilii'rel>y ])ronioteil ? 

Before J\Ii'. FuUon gave iiis enlii'i- attention to mastering the 
]»rol»lem of steam p(jwer navigation, he applied all his energies to 
the })i'oducl ion of a diving lioat to desti-oy war vessels, attei" the 
manner of toi'pedoes of liie present daw The invention ]iroved 
quite successful, and. believing he IkuI pr(Mluce(| a new and impoi'- 
tant addition to naval warfare, he oHei'ed his invention to the Eng- 
lish govei'innent. His pi'oposition was met l>v a projiosal. foi* a 
considerable ri'ward. to supjnn'ss his in\i'nl ions, so that neither ids 
own country nor any other might receive the advantage, lie in- 
dignantly rejected the overture, and ri'plied with much feeling: "I 
will never consent to let these inventions lie dormant. >liould my 
countiy at any time have need for them; and were you to grant me 
an annuity of twenty thousand jiounds a yeai". T would sacrifice all 
to the safety and independeiici' of my country." These were noble 
and ))atriotic utterances of J\Li'. Fulton, and indicate the strong in 
tegrity of character which he possessed. 

The cart-er of Mi'. I'ultnn bad now reached one of its important 
turning points. Thoi'oughly discouraged at the reception which 
the iMiglish and French ( lovt-rnnients had given to his inventions, 
he determined to return to his own country and give all bis energies 
to the application of steam power to navigation. It was fortunate 
foi' America that advei'sity drove her worthy son back to her shores, 
as the splendid triumph of bis genius was near at band which was 
to reflect much glor\' upon himself ami bis country. 

In the \-ear ISOd .Mr. ['"niton arrived in New ^'ork. and immedi- 
atelv began the consti'uct ion of a boat which was to ti'>t the prac- 
ticability of the invention he had cai'efully worked out in bis own 
mind. In U'ss than a year. boat, engines, and macbim^ry were all 
ready for the experimental t rip. 'f be foal was named ••( Mearmont," 



ROBERT FULTON. 66 

after the home of Chancellor Livingston, who was associated with 
Mr. Fulton in this steam power experiment. In the month of Au- 
gust, 1807, Mr. Fulton made the public announcement that he would, 
on a certain afternoon, start on his new boat for Albany. At the 
appointed time a large multitude assembled, perfectl}- incredulous as 
to the success of the experiment. Jest and ridicule were freely ex- 
pressed altout "Fulton's folly." A few personal friends were invited 
aboard the boat to witness the trial of the new power. At the sig- 
nal the vessel moved smoothly out into the midst of the river, like 
a thing of life, and started majestically on her trip of one hundred 
and tifty miles to Albany. The multitude were tilled with blank 
amazement as the " Clearmont " disappeared from their view upon 
the Hudson. The crews on the sailing crafts were appalled as they 
saw the terrible object coming toward them belching tire and smoke; 
some hid themselves in the holds of the vessels, some leaped into the 
water and made for the shore, others fell upon the deck and im- 
plored divine protection from the apjDroachesof the horrible monster. 
The people of Albany and the Legislature were filled with wonder and 
astonishment as the boat moved in proud majesty up to the wharf. 

The following day the new vessel returned safely to New York. 
It was a glorious day for Mr. Fulton. His wonderful genius had 
triumphed over all obstacles, and the application of steam power to 
navigation was an established fact. It was the dawn of a new era 
in the prosj^erity of nations, and the beginning of a new period in 
the civilization of the world. Mr. Fulton could not be otherwise 
than greatly gratified at his success, but he was thinking of the wel- 
fare of his countrj'men in the hour of triumph. Listen to his own 
noble words as he gives an account of the matter to a friend: ''Hav- 
ing employed much time, money, and zeal in accomplishing tin's 
work, it gives me great pleasure to see it fully answer my ex})ecta- 
tions. It will give cheap and quick conveyance to the merchandise 
of the Mississippi, Missouri, and other great rivers, which are now 
laying open their treasures to the enterprise of our countrymen ; and, 
although the prospect of personal eniolument has been some induce- 
ment to me, yet I feel infinitely more ])leasure in reflecting on the 
immense advantages that my country will derive from the inven- 
tion." There is a grand nobility in these words which should touch 
the heart of every American citizen. 

The genius and ability of Mr. Fulton entitled him to take rank 
among the greatest men of the woi-ld. He possessed a rare and 
Avonderful comlnnation of extraordinary qualities. He was one of 



34 



THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE. 



nature's nolilenien. Tlii'imi^li his inventions Ik- becatne a ij:;reat Iten- 
cfactoi- to liis i-ace, retleetini;- liuncjr up(ni his country and imnior- 
taUty upon himself. 

Ilis s))ien(li(l career was cut short at hij^li noon. Entliuscd with 
nuu'velous concejitions to reconstruct the navy of his countrj' with 
the ni'W slrani power he had (Iiscovere<l. the energies of his delicate 
nature were overtaxe<l. and he tell a victim to disease on Fehi'uary 
•4, 1815, in ilis tiftietli yrar. 

The Scotch-Irish i-ace have great reason to be proud of the name 
of Robert Fulton. His wonderful genius and s])lendid achirvi'mmts 
would be an honor to any peo]»le. 



[p[]^(n)rro.;A.^^iij)r£iL FofBoSOOdDffiisr/. 



SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE 

is the second distinguished inventor of the Scotch-Irish race to 
whom 3-our attention is invited. Prof. Morse was born in 
Charleston, Mass., on April 27, 1791. He was the son of Eev. 
Jedediah Morse, a prominent minister of the Congregational 
Chui'ch of New England. His mother was Elizal)eth Ann 
Breese, of New York City, the granddaughter of Eev. Dr. 
Samuel Finley, a distinguished Scotch-Irish clergyman, and an 
honored President of Princeton College. Prof. Morse belongs to 
the Scotch-Irish race through his mother, and there is no better 
channel through which to get the blood. By both sides of the fam- 
ily he had a line of ancestr}^ remarkable for their superior intellec- 
tual endowments and culture, as well as their nobleness and integ- 
rit}^ of character. His future life exhil)ited the fact that he was 
worthy of his noble heritage and honored sires. 

The father relates the interesting incident that Eev. Dr. With- 
erspoon, the successor of Dr. Fiidey as President of Princeton Col- 
lege, came on a visit to him sometime after the birth of the son, 
and being much alteeted by the interview with the granddaughter 
of his predecessor, he took the infant son in his arms, and, looking 
up to God, invoked the divine benediction «pon the life of the child. 
It was a touching scene, which the father and mother never forgot. 
They little dreamed, however, of the amazing blessings which were 
to come to the world through that life which then received the ben- 
ediction of the man of God. 

The early education of j^oung Samuel Finley Morse was watched 
over very careful!}^ by his father. At the age of fifteen he was 
fully prepared to enter the Freshman Class of Yale College in 1807, 
under tbe presidency of Dr. Timoth}- Dwight, who was his fathers 
close personal friend. He was confided to Dr. Dwight's special care, 
and for four years he was under the molding influence of this ex- 
traordinary man. It was while at college, attending the lectures 
of Prof Day on electricity, that young Morse re(;eived the seed 
thought which ultimately produced the great invention. In one of 
his morning lectures. Prof. Day gave this proposition: "If the cir- 
cuit be interrupted, the fluid will become visible; and when it passes, 
it will leave an im])ressi()n u})on any intermediate body." The pro- 



30 



THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IltlSH ItACE, 



lessor n-ave oxperitneiits, deinoiistratini; the truth fulness of the pro))- 
ositioii. This was the a;erm of the i^reat invention that now daily 
and iioui'ly astonishes the world, and has ,<<jiven a splendid inmiortal- 
ity to the student, who, twenty-two years afterward, eoneeived the 
idea of niakini;' this ex])eriment of ])raetic'al value to mankind. 

Writini;- in 1SG7 of the time wlien the idea of his invention tirst 
ori<;-inated with him, he refers to this mornini;- lecture at Yale C'ol- 
le£i;e, and says: -The Ihcl that the presence of electricity can he made 
visilile in any desired part of the circuit was the crnile sred which 
took I'oot in wy mind and i;-rew up into form, and ripeneil into the 
invention of the electric telen'i'a])h. ' 

Jn the summer of ISIO .Mr. Samuel Finley Morse finished his col- 
legiate course, and deterniine<l to devote himself to the art of paint- 
ing, as he had already shown decided gifts in that direction. The 
celebrated Washington AUston had just returned from Europe in 
the midst of iiis s])lendid career, and young Morse was placed under 
his care as his ])npil. In tlu' summer of 1811 Mr. Allston re- 
turned to i.imdon, taking with him his pupil, Mr. Moi'se, Avhom he 
presented to Benjamin AVest, the great .\merican artist, who was 
then President of the IJoyal Academy of Kngland. ^Ir. West he- 
came greatly interested in Mr. Morse, and gave him the warm per- 
sonal attenti(jn of a father. The young artist made rai)id ailvance- 
nient in his profession. In k^ss than two years he was awarded the 
gold medal for one of his productions, and in the presence of the 
royal court received the honor at the hands of the Duke of Norfolk. 

After four years" atisence, .Mr. Morse i-etnriied to his own country, 
continuing his profession tis an artist in ditterent cities from 1815 to 
1821). During the years 1827-28. Mr. Morse gave special attention to 
the stud}' of electro-magnetism, undi-r the inspiring lectures of Prof. 
Dana, of Colundtia College, of New York City. His mind was still 
struggling with the electric force as to some method of utilizing it. 

In 1829 he determined to spend some time in Daly, studying the 
great masters, that he nnght the more thoroughly |»erfect himself in 
his profession, llis visit to Italy and adjacent countries, making a 
study of the nuignificent gems of art collected in the dift'erent 
galleries, was a source of great ]>leasure an<l jirotit to him, and, richly 
furnished with material for fntui-e use in his profession, he ileter- 
mined in the fall season of 1832 to return to his own country. 

^Ir. .Morse was now forty-two years of age. For twenty years 
and moi'c lie had gi\cn Ins entire attention to art and studies as a 
j)aiiiter. and had attained wvv hii:,h dist inetiDU. Ihit his career as 



SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE. 37 

an artist was now virtually at an end. His future was to be en- 
gag-ed in grappling w^ith one of tlie grandest conceptions that ever 
entered the human mind. 

On October 1, 1832, Mr. Morse sailed from Havre on the ])acket 
ship "Sully," for New York. There were quite a number of prom- 
inent people aboard the vessel. When fuU}^ out upon the sea, the 
conversation at the dinner table on a certain day turned upon elec- 
tro-magnetism, and was carried on with much interest b}^ sieveral 
parties. At a particular point in the conversation Mr. Morse inter- 
posed the remai'k: "If the presence of electricity can be made visi- 
ble in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may 
not be transmitted instantaneousl}' by electricity." Promiscuous 
conversation went on. But the one new idea had taken comj^lete 
possession of the mind of Mr. Morse. It was as sudden and 2)er- 
vading as if at that moment he had received an electric shock. He 
withdrew from the table and went on deck. He was in midoceau. 
His whole being was absorbed with the new conception. The pur- 
pose to transmit intelligence by electricity took possession of his 
mind, and to its perfection his life from that moment was devoted. 
The mechanism b}' which the result was to be reached was to be 
wrought out by a slow and laborious thought and experiment, but 
the grandeur of that result broke ujion hitn as clearly and fully as 
if it had been a vision from heaven. Ditftculties afterward rose in 
his path, which had to be surmounted or removed by toilsome and 
painful processes. But in that first hour of conception, when his 
mind was all aglow with his new discovery, he saw the end from the 
beginning. Of all the great inventions that has made their authors 
immortal, and conferred enduring benefit upon mankind, no one was 
so completely grasped at its inception as this. For some days and 
nights he had no rest or sleep, struggling with the difficult problem. 
His mind was all on fire. The tension of thought was ver}?- great, 
but he found the solution. His notebook shows that he then con- 
structed the alphabet of dots and dashes, and the needful mechan- 
ism wherebj' these signs were to be made by the electric cun-ent. 
From this hour began a struggle which lasted twelve yeai-s, more 
severe, heroic, and triumphant than the annals of any other inven- 
tion furnished for the warning and encouragement of genius. 

As the vessel neared the wharf at New York, Cai)t. Pell says, Mr. 
Morse addressed him and said: "Well, Cajitain, should you hear of 
the telegraph one of these days as the wonder of the world, remem- 
ber the discovery was made upon the good ship 'SuUj^"'" 



38 THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH RACE. 

Sevei'al years were .s])ent in ((Hist riutiiiii-. iin|ir()viiii;-. and perfect- 
iiiii' the mecliaiiistn of the iiivi-nt ion. llis limited sii|tj)lv of means 
in'caiiie virtually exliaustcil. It was the old stoiy re])eate<L and to 
lie re|»eatcd, of i^enius strugglinii- with |)ovri't\'. 

In 1838 Mr. ^Foi-se had so far ]>erfec1ed his invention that he pro- 
|iosed to inak'e a ])iililic exliiliit ion of the o])eration of teleii"ra|>hie 
instruments at New York University, of which he was at that j)e- 
I'iod a professor. On .January 24. 1838, the distinii-uished ]iai-ties in- 
vited were present, filled with astonishment at the proposition to 
eonvcy intelliii^ence throuii'h a coil of wire ten miles hniix. In defer- 
ence to Gen. (,'ummint>;s, a military ofHcer present, the followinsj 
s^'Utence was «;-iven to Prof. .Morse to ti-ansnnt thi-oUi;-li the long 
wire in the teleii'ra]ihic al])hahet (if dots and dashes: 

"Attention, tiie universe: 
By kinixdonis, ri<jht wlieel." 

Letter hy letter an<l word liy woi'd tlu' entire sentence was written, 
and I'epeateil four times over with perfect accurae}'. The audience 
wei-i' ama/AMl and overwhelmed. The "work seenu-d to Imrder on 
the mii-aculous. This is the fix'st sentence ever transnnt teil thi'oun-h 
a telegrapii wiiv of any leni;-tli. The original niessane is still in tlie 
possession of the ('umnnno;s fannly. The sentence was ]»ei'haps 
i;'iven playfully, without the ihou^'lil of any particular si^-niticance, 
and yet all present felt, somehow, that they stood u])on the thresh- 
hold of an event that would command the attention of the world, 
and they were not mistaken. 

On Kel.ruary 21, 1838, Prof Morse exhihited his tele«;-ra]thic iii- 
vt-ntion liefore the President of the Fnited States and his cahinet 
and many of the nieinliers of Congress. The claims of the inven- 
tion wei'e genei-ally ivgai'ded asuttei'Iy incrediMe, luit when the e.x- 
])eriment was witnessed all were com])elletl to admit tiuit the tele. 
gra])h had all the appearanct,- of success. 

Sevei-al years were now s|(ent in si'cnring grants of iettei's ])at. 
ent in foivii;Mi countries. On ^larch .'I tiie Congress of the United 
States appropriatetl .S30,0()(( to const luct an e.\i»t'riniental telegi-aph 
line from Washington to Baltimore. The s|n'eclu's of ridicule made 
hy several nu'ndiers of Congress on the hill making this ap|trt)pi"ia- 
tion are very anuising pi'oductions in the light of the |)ri'sent day. 
The friends of Prof. .Moi-st' had to lalmr assiduously to si'cure the 
passage of t lie iii II making the a|i|M'o|ii'iatiiin. Sealed in tliegidlery 
of the TIdUse (if Pepreseiilat ivi's. .Mr. .M(ii>e watched with intense 



SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE, 39 

anxiety the fate of the bill, for in its success were centered all his 
hopes of getting his invention before the world. Trembling with 
agitation, he heard the roll call. The bill had a majority of eight. 
He and his friends were greatl}- rejoiced, but the bill had yet to run 
the gauntlet in the Senate during the few days of Congress whicli 
yet remained. March 3 came, and Mr. Morse sat in the gallery all 
day long. As the senate chamber was lighted, two Senators, his 
personal friends, came to him with the sad intelligence that there 
was no hope of getting the bill passed, as only a few hours remained 
and a large number of bills were before it on the calendar. His 
hopes were crushed. He went to his hotel, fell upon his knees at 
his bedside, and jjourcd out his troubled heart to Clod, as he had ever 
done in the dark days when thick shadows fell upon him. He soon 
realized that " the Lord giveth his beloved sleep." Mr. Ellsworth, 
the Commissioner of Patents, and his friends in the Senate watched 
the bill continuously, and at the last moment secured its passage and 
signature by the President. Early next morning the little daughter 
of Mr. Ellsworth came to the hotel as Prof. Morse came down to 
breakfost. The young girl quickly said: " I came so early to be the 
first to congratulate you, Mr. Morse." "And for what reason, my 
child?" said he. "Why, upon the passage of the bill by the Sen- 
ate." The professor assured her that it was not possible, as he lelt 
the capitol onlj^ a few hours before adjournment. She then in- 
formed him that her father was present at the close, and saw the 
billed passed and signed. He sank down in his chair overwhelmed 
at the good news. Recovering himself, he promised Miss Annie 
Ellsworth that she should send the first message over the first line 
of telegraph that was opened. 

With this appropriation by Congress, Prof. Morse proceeded with 
energy and delight to construct a telegraph line from Washington 
to Baltimore. By May 24, 1844, he had his line constructed between 
the two cities. There was much excitement in both cities as to the 
success of the new and wonderful invention. That intelligent mes- 
sages could be sent over this wire of forty miles' length in an instant 
staggered the faith of every one. 

When everything was ready, he informed Miss Ellsworth he was 
prepared to redeem his pledge that she should indite the first mes- 
sage for the telegraph line. Her good mother had suggested the 
striking words of Scripture: 

" What hath God wrought!" (Num. xxiii. 23) 
and the daua'hter handed them to Prof Morse. He took his seat 



40 



THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IiaSH RACE. 



li}' the iiistniiiiciit and spclli-d tlu- woi-ds of tlio iiK-ssaii'i' in the dot 
and (hish of the telei;ra])h aljihaliet. In a moment Mr. ^'ail. who 
was at the insti'ument in Jiaitimore. returned the words to Wash- 
inii'ton, thus passinii' over a circuit of eiii'hty miles. 

Tlie parties present were filled with amazement ; they saw bej'ond 
controversy the success of the invention. Pi-cjf. Morse did not ex- 
hibit tlie surprise of liis enthusiastic friends, for he knew perfectly 
what his instrument would do, and the tact accom|)lished was but 
the confirmation to others of what to liim was :i certainty on the 
packet shi]) "Sully" in 1882. 

Tie received, with the modesty in krrjtin^- with the sim])licity of 
bis ciiaracter, the strong- congratulations of his friends. Neither 
then nor at an}' subse<|uent period of his life did his language or 
manner indicate any exultation in his wonderful triumph. Jle be- 
lieved himself an instrument employed by heaven to achieve a great 
result, and having accom])lislied it. he claimed simply to be the origi- 
nal and oidy insti'ument by which that result had been reached. 

Prof Morse said of the Hrst message that was sent — ■ What hath 
God wrought!'' — that it ba])tize<l the American telegra])h with the 
name of its author, who, he believed, was (iod. 

The original sli|i of paper on which his first dispatch was written 
by the telegraph instrument is now in the possession of Gov. Sey- 
more, of Hartford, Conn. 

It was two days after the sending of this dispatch that the famous 
Democratic Convention of 1844 met in Baltimore. The nomination 
of James K. Polk for l'ri'si<lent. who was a ilistinguisbed Scotch- 
Irishman, was first flashed over the wires, but it seemed im|tossible 
to believi- it until the train from Baltimore verified it. \n the strug- 
gle over tlu' nomination for Vice President, parties in Washington 
and Ealtimoi'e kept up a continual conference for hours. As these 
vai'ious disjiatches were read eveiy few miiuites for hours before the 
Convent iiMi. all duulits as (o the success (if the electi'ic telegi'aph was 
eft'ectually dissipated. 

The telegra])h was now a i-ealit_\'. Its completion wasbaileil with 
universal enthusiasm. The press of the country announced the an- 
nihilation of time and space in intercourse among men. The praises 
of the inventor were proclaimed by every one. The woixler and Joy 
of the people were beyond expression. 

It was not long until telegraph lines were estaldished to all the 
leading cities of the country. In was oidy a (piestion of a short 
time untill all the govei'nnients of luirope ailopti'd the Morse tele- 



SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE. 41 

graph. Nation after nation conferred upon him their highest hon- 
ors and badges of distinction. The electric telegraph was at once 
recognized as the most wonderful invention of human history. 

The wearisome days of poverty and need were now ended; pos- 
sessed with a liberal revenue from his invention, he purchased a 
beautiful home on the east bank of the Hudson, near Poughkeepsie. 
Here in comfort and ease, overwhelmed with the honors of the 
world, he rested fi'om his labors. The grand triumph of his life had 
been achieved. Here in his beautiful home he often talked pleas- 
antly of the dark days through which he had passed before his in- 
vention could be brought to perfection, and its merit recognized by 
the public. Seated in his richly furnished study, he had telegraphic 
communication with his friends in every part of the world. 

The character of Prof. Morse was of a high order in every re- 
sjoect. His strong religious life exhibited itself throughout his 
whole career from youth to old age. When his invention brought 
him ample means, he made liberal benefactions to the various causes 
in which he felt interested. 

In the summer of 1871 a statue was erected to his memory in 
Central Park, Xew York, by the Telegraphic Brotherhood of the 
world. At a public reception given at the Academy of Music on the 
occasion, when the venerable old man came ujjon the platform, the 
immense audience arose and cheered with unbounded enthusiasm. 
He was led to a seat beside a small table, on which was the first 
instrument ever used, which was connected by wire Avith the tele- 
graphic system of the world. He laid his finger upon the key. 
There was a moment's impi'essive silence; then the clicking of the 
telegraph instrument was heard as the " Father of the Electric 
Telegraph " gave his farewell message: 

Greeting and thanks to the telegraph fraternity throughout the world. 
Glory to God in the highest. On earth peace and good will to men. 

S. F. B. MoR=E. 

From all parts of the gloI>e came back the answers with bene- 
dictions for him who had made the people of all nations to be as one. 

The career of this wonderful man now closes. On April 4, 1872, 
in his eighty-fourth year, the message came calling him to the pre- 
cious rewards of his Christian faith. 



CYRUS HALL McCORMICK. 

Attention is now diivoted to aiiotlKT (listiiiLCuislie(l Scotcli-Irish- 
inan, to \vho>>L' genius an<l tenacity of ])urposc' we are indebted 
foi" another most ini])ortant invention; one whieli has wroui^lit a 
profound ivvoiution in (he aii'i-icnUui-al world. We refer to the 
wonderful and liuuous •McCorniieiv Keaper.' the invention of Cyrus 
Hall McCorinick. of Cliieago. Tliis invention soon exhibited far- 
reaching results, atfecting the agricultui-al interests in eveiy land. 
By its use the coinnierce of the world, in all kinds of grain ju'oducts. 
has been ex])anded to amazing jji'ojiortions, and it may l>e safely as- 
serted that no single invention has ever become such a powerful 
factor in increasing the commerce of all nations. 

The family of Cyrus Hall McConnicU for two genei-ations were ! 
settlers in the famous valley of Virginia, so fruitful of great tmd 
goo<l men. and originally came to this country tVom the North of , 
Ireland in 17r)S. I 

The h(»mestead of Hol)ert McCormick, the father of Cyrus Hall 
McCormiek, was Walnut (Jrove, Rockbridge ("ounty, Va. Here his 
son was born Kebruaiy 15, ISO!). The father luul a very decided I 
genius for invention in the line of mechanies. lie was the inventor 
of several im])ortant nuichines, which in that early tlay were of much 
value to agriculture in vai-ious ways. In 181(1 he conceived tin- idea 
of constructing a reaping machine. When he iiad built his machine | 
and put it to the test, it failed to do satistactoiy work. j 

Cyrus H. McCormick, the son, was now about twenty-two years 
of age, and he luul already invented several imj)ortant agricultural 
implements, showing that the inventive genius of the father was 
inherited by the son. j 

In the sumnu'r of 1831 he macK- a careful stndy of the problem ' 
of the ivaper which had baffled the skill ot' his fallicr. While stand- 
ing in a tield of ripening and tangled grain, the solnt ion of the diffi- 
cult problem seems to have tlasheil upon his mind at once. In a 
few short months he had so far const ructed his machine as to sub- ! 
ject it to a critical ex[»eriment, which was done at the old homestead 
at Wahuit Crove. The ti'ial was a complete success, and from that 
day the reapi-r was an acconi|)lislieil fact. 

Mr. McCormick did not allow himself to be carrie<l away by the j 




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C^ /V. /TiTQyp-n^^^ 



CYRUS HALL McCORMICK. 43 

enthusiasm of his wonderful success. His criticiil and inventive 
mind soon saw where improvements could be made, rendering the 
machine less complicated and more efficient in its work. 

For several years his father and two bi'others were associated 
with him in the manufticture of the reaper at Walnut Grove, and 
year by year the success and capability of the machine was assured 
beyond all controversy. The want of facilities for the manufacture 
of the varied j^arts of the reaper rendered it impossible to put it upon 
the market with a rapidity even approximating the demand. The 
vast prairies of the West were rapidly becoming the great grain- 
producing part of the country, and Mr. McCormick, in his un- 
common good judgment and foresight, saw that these broad prairies 
must be the field where his wonderful reaper was to have its grand- 
est success. Accordingly in 1845 he began making his reapers in 
Cincinnati, but in 1847 he located permanently in Chicago, and es- 
tablished a large manufactory with the most improved machinery 
for producing his reaper with rapidityi and perfection. liis two 
brothers from Virginia joined him there, and the firm became a po- 
tent factor in building up the great Northwest. 

Thousands of reapers were now manufactured and distributed 
over the grain-producing parts of the country. The whole land was 
soon filled with amazement at the tremendous commercial signifi- 
cance of the new invention. Reaping the harvest by machinery in- 
creased immensely the grain products of the country, and the volume 
of commerce was augmented year by year to a surprising degree. 

Mr. McCormick now turned his attention to the introduction of 
his reaper into the difterent countries of Europe, and his etforts in 
this direction were crowned with abundant succes-j. From 1851 to 
1883, a period of more than thirty j^ears, the "McCormick Eeaper" 
took the gold medals and highest prizes of the several international 
expositions that were held. In 1867 Napoleon III. was present to 
witness a test of the merit of the reaper invention in the rich har- 
vest fields of Chalon, and so pleased was the emperor at the won- 
derful success of the reaper that he conferred the Decoration of the 
Legion of Honor upon Mr. McCormick on the field. The Emperor 
of Austria conferred a like honor at the exposition of Vienna in 
1873, and, indeed, from ever}^ ])art of the world public recognition 
in the form of honors and awards came to the distinguished invent- 
or. He was permitted to see the merit of his wonderful invention 
recognized \n all lands, and also to see its amazing influence in ex- 
panding and enlarging the commerce of the world. No one rejoiced 
4 



44 



THE INVENTORS OF THE SCOTCH-IJtlSH RACE. 



iiKiiv llmii In- ill llu' i;'i-c;it a<lv;iiit;iL;c- ami lik'ssiii^-^ wliidi lii-> in- 
vention i;-ave to the aii'ricult ural interests of tlie conntiy. IJeapini;- 
hy niacliincrv was a revolution to the uTain pro(hution of tiie woi-Id. 

'I'he success wiiich a kind PiMvideiice was pleaseil to l)esto\v U|»on 
Mr. MeC'orniick sceined ne\ei- to till liini with exultation. Init onl\- 
served to l^rint;; out the i-eniarkalile excellencies of his charadei-. 
In 1858 he was married lo .Miss Nettie Fowler, a lady ilisl ini;uislied 
for her intellii^vnce and menial endowments. To them were iiorn 
two dauL!;iders and thrt-e sons. 

The i'elii;-ious life of .Mr. .McCornuck was sti-oni;- and of a pi'o- 
nounced tyjn". IK' held, with vigorous tenacity, to the ivliii'ious 
' faith of his fathers, lie loved his ('luirch and all In r interests, and 
wlu'n his inventions ltroni;ht him ampk' foi-tune. he he^an t o liestow 
lari>'e and lilicral henefaelioJis u|ion siU'h reli^-ions iiivtitulions as 
comnuMKU'd themselves to his favorahle consideration. In is.")!! he 
iMidowcd the I'l'eshyterian Theoloirical Sennnarw of Chicaijo. and 
afti'i'w ai'd larii'e and liheral i;ifts were made, hoth hy himself and 
his fannU, ann)unl iui;' in all to over a million dollars, .\fter Mr. 
McCoruucks death, the Trustees of the seminaiy \cr\ |iro|terly 
chanii'cd the coi']K)rate title of the institution to that of •The Mc- 
('oi-nnck Theoloii,-ical Seminary of ( "hicai;-o." 'l'hroni::h this liherally 
endowed school of the prophets thisiiohle man has already e.xerted. 
and will continue to exert, a most favorahle reliii'ious influence upon 
till- ii'reat North west sect ion of our ci.nnt ry. .Mr. .Met 'ormirU died 
in the year 1S84, haviuL;,- passed his seventydift h hirthday. His end 
was ])eace. 

In the person of his son. Cyrus Hall MeCorndck. .Ir.. the fathei- 
has left hehind him a ^-ood i-epresentat ive. Sncceedini;- to his t'a- 
ther's in\'enlion with all its emoluments, he has (.'xpanded the prin- 
ci] lies of t he invent ion in vai'ious direct ions, lari;"el\' increasing- its in- 
tliU'ncc ami reveinies. .1 ust where the fat lu-r lai<l down his li fr. hoi h 
secidar and relii;'ions. tlu' son has taken it up. and is press iiii;- tdrw ard 
with i;-real activity and success. \\v is a worthy son of a uohle siri'. 

There is a striUiiiii' resendilance in the careei- of .Mr. .Mc('ornnck 
and that of I'rof. .Morse. Mr. .Mct'orndck reache(l the fidl concep- 
tion of his inveidion utter a sliort hut close study in the summer of 
IS'JI. I'l'of. .Morse reache(l the full (•onci'])tion of his invention after 
a few days of intense st udy on t he packet ship •■ Sully " in ( >ctolirr. 
18;{2. l)olh inventions were a success in tlu" first trial, ami lioth 
were ahont twelve years in commandiuii- puidic attention, lioth 
men ahout tlu' same time had I licii' inwnl ions recoiiMii/.ed li\' t he 



CYRUS HALL McCOKMICK. 45 

various nationalities of Europe and of the world, and almost simul- 
taneously they received the highest honors from every civilized 
government. While engaged in developing their respective inven- 
tions, the}^ formed an acquaintance which was mutually pleasant 
and agreeable. They both lived to enjoy the fruits of their labors, 
and passed away at a ripe old age, leaving behind them the blessed 
example of Godly Christian lives. 

In ])reparing this address on the inventors of the Scotch-Irish 
people of America, we have deemed it advisable to restrict ourselves 
to the three great Inventors (Mr. Fulton, Mr. Morse, and Mr. McCor- 
niick), whose life work has been closed by death. The inventive ge- 
nius of these three men lay in entirely different directions, and yet 
their inventions have effected most powerfully the interests of man- 
kind, and ]»roved an inestimable blessing to the whole world. 

If time would ])ermit, we could speak of other Scotch-Irish in- 
ventors Avhose ]iroductions have commanded universal attention and 
admiration. The mother of Thomas A. Edison, who was Miss Elli- 
ott, is of this blood ; a woman of rare endowments and intellectual cul- 
ture, who profoundly impressed herself upon the young life of her son. 

But we must rest our cause with the three master Inventors we 
have mentioned. Their Inventions, their lives, and their characters 
reflect immortal honor upon the Scotch-Irish race. 



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